From Dubrovnik: Boat Tour to Kolocep, Lopud, & Sipan Islands

The best thing about this Dubrovnik boat trip is its variety. In one day, you get green walking paths on Koločep, a quiet swim stop on Šipan, and a long break on car-free Lopud, with the Adriatic scenery filling the spaces between.

I like the sensible pacing, with roughly an hour on the first two islands and three hours on Lopud. I also like the value: a large lunch and an open bar with water, soft drinks, white wine, and a surprise local drink are included. The main drawback is that Koločep and Šipan can feel rushed if you want a proper island walk, and you cannot jump from the boat for a swim.

At a glance: what this island day delivers

• Three inhabited Elaphiti islands: See Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan rather than spending the whole day at one beach.
• A generous onboard lunch: Choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian meal, with portions often large enough to feel like dinner.
• Drinks included all day: Water, soft drinks, white wine, and a surprise drink are included. Beer and coffee may cost extra.
• Three hours on Lopud: This is your best chance to visit Šunj Beach, walk, swim, or take a golf buggy across the island.
• A polished wooden boat: Emili has shaded areas, an upper deck, music, and a clean, well-kept setup.
• Optional blue cave trip: Some departures offer a speedboat add-on for about €20, but the cave visit is short and can be busy.

Leaving Dubrovnik for the Elaphiti Islands

The Elaphiti Islands sit close to Dubrovnik, but the trip gives you a useful change of pace from the city’s stone streets and crowded viewpoints. Instead of packing another sightseeing walk into your day, you spend several hours on the water, watching the coast recede and arriving at small island ports.

The boat is named Emili, and the listed meeting point is the bus stop across from the University building at 8:45 in the morning. The blue boat is not expected before that time, so arriving very early will not get you aboard sooner. Optional pickup is available, with the exact location and time sent to you the day before.

The boat has shade, an upper deck, and room to find a quieter place at the front or a more social spot above. The crew keeps the day moving without making it feel like a race. Natasha, Emily, Darko, Marco, and other crew members are singled out for warm service and useful island advice, though the exact staff can vary.

This is not a small, private sailing trip. It is a hosted boat excursion with a full group, background music, shared seating, and a steady flow of food and drinks. That is part of its appeal, especially if you want an easy day where you do not need to organize ferries, meals, or island connections yourself.

Koločep: green paths and a gentle first stop

Koločep is usually the first island visit, with about one hour ashore. It is the smallest of the three inhabited islands on this route and is prized for its greenery, vegetation, and peaceful setting.

With only an hour, I would keep your plan simple. Walk near the port, find a place for coffee, enjoy the sea, or take a short look around rather than trying to cover the island. The stop works well as an introduction to the Elaphiti Islands, but it is not long enough for a serious hike or extended bike ride.

You may want to use Koločep as your calmest stop. One practical way to enjoy it is to avoid overplanning. Sit by the water, take in the views, and save your energy for Lopud, where the longer break gives you room to choose between a beach visit and a walk.

The island is also a good reminder that this tour is about sampling three places, not exploring any one of them in full. If your main goal is hiking on Koločep, a dedicated island visit would make more sense than this multi-stop day.

Šipan: a swim break with olive trees and old villas

Šipan is the largest of the Elaphiti Islands and is associated with olive trees and former aristocratic retreats. Historic families built country houses and mansions here, giving the island a quieter cultural character beneath its simple coastal charm.

The stop is generally about one hour. For most people, that is enough time for a swim, a short stroll, or a drink near the water. The sea can be exceptionally clear and warm in suitable weather, and snorkeling is possible from the shore. Take care around sea urchins, which have been spotted in the swimming areas, and use goggles if you want to see where you place your feet.

Šipan is not presented as a formal guided history tour. You get useful context from the crew before arrival, then explore at your own pace. I like that arrangement because the island remains relaxed rather than becoming a string of facts delivered at speed.

Still, an hour passes quickly. If you want to examine old houses, walk farther inland, and swim, you will need to choose one or two priorities. The best use of this stop is probably a quick swim followed by a short look at the waterfront.

Lopud: three hours and the day’s main event

Lopud receives the longest stop, usually close to three hours. That decision makes sense. It is the most developed island on the route, yet it remains free of cars, making it the easiest place to relax on foot.

Lopud gives you choices. You can stay near the port, find an ice cream, walk through green areas, or head toward Šunj Beach, the island’s popular sandy beach. You can also take a golf buggy across the island to reach the beach. This is a paid extra, not part of the tour price, and the ride may feel lively on the uneven route. Sit in the middle row if you prefer a steadier position.

Šunj is a good reason to bring swimwear, a towel, and sun protection. Sandy beaches are less common along the rocky Croatian coast, so this stop offers a different feel from the clear-water swimming near Šipan. Sun loungers and umbrellas can be costly, especially when the sun is strong, so you may prefer to bring your own shade or settle on the beach without renting equipment.

If swimming is not your priority, Lopud still earns its longer visit. Walk through the island’s green spaces, look for the monastery area, or simply enjoy the absence of traffic. The longer stop also means you are less dependent on perfect timing. You can have lunch on the boat, then spend a relaxed afternoon ashore instead of watching the clock.

The only catch is that three hours can disappear quickly once you add transport to Šunj, swimming, and a snack. I would decide your plan before leaving the boat. If you want the beach, head there early. If you prefer a quiet island walk, stay closer to the port and explore on foot.

Lunch on Emili: better than a basic boat meal

Lunch is one of the strongest parts of the package. You choose fish, chicken, or vegetarian food, and the meal is served aboard the boat. The chicken has been served with potatoes and tomatoes, while the fish has received especially warm praise for its flavor and size.

Portions are generous. This is not a small sandwich designed to keep you going until dinner. Several meals have been described as large, and one practical detail is that lunch can feel more like an evening meal than a light midday plate.

The food is prepared on board, and the timing usually fits naturally into the route. You can enjoy the meal while looking out at the coast rather than losing more island time to a restaurant stop. The vegetarian option is available, though no further menu details are provided, so ask the crew what is being served that day if your diet is strict.

Drinks are available throughout the day. Included choices are water, non-alcoholic drinks, white wine, and a surprise drink, often a local spirit or similar offering. Beer and coffee may be available for an extra charge, with one trip noting beer at €3 and coffee on Lopud at €5.50. Prices can change, so ask before ordering.

The open bar adds real value, but it also shapes the mood. Music, wine, and local drinks can make the upper deck lively and social. If you want a quiet day, sit toward the front or in a shaded lower area, and pace yourself in the heat.

What the $76 price really covers

At $76 per person, this is a strong package if you want a full day on the water with few extra decisions. Your fare covers boat transport, lunch, and the listed drinks. It also includes a hosted route through three islands, which saves you the work of comparing ferry schedules and arranging separate meals.

The value is best for people who would otherwise pay for a boat excursion, lunch, and drinks separately. A large fish or chicken meal, unlimited water and soft drinks, and white wine all day make the price easier to justify than a basic sightseeing cruise with no food.

You should still budget for extras. Beach chairs and umbrellas at Šunj are not included. Coffee and beer may cost extra, and the optional blue cave speedboat trip is reported at about €20 per person. The blue cave add-on can be fun if you want a fast ride and an unusual sea sight, but the actual cave visit may last only a couple of minutes and can be crowded.

That optional trip is not essential to the main tour. I would book it only if the speedboat experience appeals to you and conditions are good. The three islands already provide the main value.

Timing, comfort, and the small practical details

The day lasts about eight to nine hours, including the boat rides and island stops. The usual pattern is around one hour on Koločep, one hour on Šipan, and three hours on Lopud, with the rest spent cruising and eating.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, a hat, and shoes you can walk in. Water shoes or sturdy sandals are useful if you plan to swim near rocky shorelines, especially around Šipan, where sea urchins may be present.

Shade is available, but you should not assume every seat will be shaded at every moment. A boat day means direct sun, reflected glare from the water, and wind while underway. Drink water even if you are also enjoying the wine.

The tour is conducted in English. The crew gives a short explanation of each island and suggestions for what to do before you go ashore. That is helpful because the stops are short, particularly the first two.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. These terms are useful if your Dubrovnik plans depend on weather, but check the booking conditions at the time you reserve.

Who will enjoy this Dubrovnik day trip most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a low-effort island sampler. It suits couples, families, and groups who want scenery, swimming, lunch, and a little island time without planning the whole day themselves.

Families can benefit from the clear structure and the crew’s attentive approach. One family with a young child found the staff especially helpful, and the boat provides shade when a child needs a break from the sun.

It also works well for first-time visitors to the Dubrovnik area. You see three different islands in one outing: Koločep for greenery, Šipan for a quieter coastal setting, and Lopud for the fullest choice of beach and walking time.

I would hesitate if you want a private experience, long hikes, or several hours at each island. The first two stops are sampling visits. You need to accept the group format, fixed timing, and shared boat atmosphere.

I would also think twice if your main goal is jumping from the boat into open water. Swimming is possible from the islands, but the boat itself does not allow passengers to jump off for a swim.

Should you book the Emili island cruise?

Book it if you want a well-organized day with three island stops, a substantial lunch, and drinks included. The route offers enough variety to avoid feeling repetitive, and Lopud gives you a proper block of free time rather than a rushed photo stop.

The best strategy is to treat Koločep and Šipan as short introductions, then make Lopud your main outing. Choose your meal in advance, bring swimming gear, and decide if Šunj Beach is worth the extra cost of transport and beach rentals.

I would not book it for deep exploration of any single island. For that, use local ferries and stay overnight. But for a first look at the Elaphiti Islands from Dubrovnik, the price, food, service, and easy pacing make this a sensible choice.

FAQ

How long is the boat tour from Dubrovnik?

The tour lasts approximately 8 to 9 hours.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route visits Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud, three inhabited islands of the Elaphiti group near Dubrovnik.

How much time do you get on each island?

The usual schedule gives you about one hour on Koločep, one hour on Šipan, and three hours on Lopud.

What lunch choices are available?

You can choose a fish, chicken, or vegetarian meal. Lunch is served on the boat.

What drinks are included?

Water, non-alcoholic beverages, white wine, and a surprise drink are included throughout the day. Beer and coffee may require an extra payment.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at 8:45 at the bus stop across from the University building. Look for the blue boat named Emili. Optional pickup is available, with the pickup location and time provided one day before the tour.